C1 CHAPTER ONE

Wolfspring County had found itself in the midst of a dilemma.A state that has been known for ages to be a place where nothing ever happened had suddenly been plagued with a trail of deaths with no reasonable explanations in only a space of a month.

The victims of the gruesome murders were three teenagers killed at different moments around the same location, the Wolfspring Forest, a national reserve that has suddenly become a graveyard in the past weeks.

The lack of information on the identity of the killer remains the most disturbing detail of the entire tragic occurrence, as it appears to be a massive wild animal, something the police department has claimed to be an unusually large bear.

But what frustrates this assertion is the fact that Wolf Spring County has recorded no such wildlife in its forest for decades.

"My God!"!exclaimed Sheriff Author Bricks, the head of the police department in Spring County,

Sheriff Bricks has been left confused and helpless since the situation began. He knew that sooner or later he would have to come to terms with the fact that there was a serial killer on the loose in Wolf Spring County, and he had no clear lead on the identity of the perpetrator despite the fact that he was recording the third murder case in the last month."What do you make of this boss?"?Marcus, who was a deputy in the Wolfspring police, called out while sliding over the caution tapes as he approached the confused Sheriff."Bear attack, "the shelf replied.

"A yet-to-be confirmed bear attack, " he added, his eyes fixed on Marcus as he spoke.

Marcus, who looked visibly upset, yelled from where he stood."With all due respect, Sheriff, this is no bear attack. The deputy stood still, looking traumatized, probably due to witnessing the gory state of the last victim of the gruesome murder.

"You will do as you are told, deputy!'' Sheriff Bricks fired back before storming out of the area and making his way again to the murder scene. Walking like he was going in for a closer investigation, he carefully lifted the caution tapes that by now surrounded the area. He made his way past the dozens of officers who guarded the tent where the remains of the victim's parts were secured for a photograph that was yet to be taken of the murder scene. Sheriff Bricks met up with the two detectives attached to the case who were about to make their way out of the crime scene.

"Sheriff, "the elder looking detective exclaimed as soon as he laid eyes on Bricks, extending his hand for a handshake as the younger detective, who appeared to be an assistant, looked on with a painful expression on his face. His unhinged deposition was so evident that he didn't notice Bricks trying to give him a handshake."Sorry," he replied once he finally noticed Brick's extended hand."Johnny, is this the first time the kid's been to a crime scene?Bricks replied while referring to the older detective.

"It's the worst he's seen in his career, Johnny replied, bringing out a cigarette, lighting it, and taking a smoke before adding"Damn it, Bricks; it's the worst I've seen too."Sighing a bit before taking another smoke"Nothing ever happens in this town; what the hell is all this Bricks? We both know it's no wild animal."Johnny added, dropping his half-lit cigarette and stepping on it till it became nothing but mashed ash."Get it together, Johnny; until the forensic results come out, we are telling the press this is a suspected bear attack.".Bricks replied, pausing for a bit before adding again."In the meantime Johnny,get to work on catching the sick bastard.Trying to be a serial killer in Wolfspring County"Brick's eyes flashed red as soon as he made this remark, and he immediately made his way out of the sight of the two detectives.

Bricks got behind the tent and walked slowly into the dark woods. He kept walking aimlessly, his mind filled with so many thoughts.Suddenly he stopped on his tracks; looking back, he realized he was far away from the crime scene and decided to turn around to begin working back. As he took a few steps forward, he paused on his track almost as if he heard a sound.Listening intently, the sheriff was convinced he was hearing a muffled growl.He was deep in the woods, and his vision was clouded by the shades of the tall trees, almost canopying over him."Show yourself, you damn maniac."Bricks yelled, pulling out his revolver as he turned around, aiming at a bush area that was gathered at the foot of one of the trees directly in front of him.The bushes shaken a bit, and Bricks instantly let out two shots, which caused the bushes to vibrate more violently.

Everything became suddenly still as the bang of the bullet's echo slowly faded throughout the forest. The sheriff made his way closer to the bush area, and with every step he took, his heartbeat thumbed vigorously.

Eventually he got closer and discovered a hairy creature lying dead in the pool of its own blood behind the bushes. On closer observation, the Sheriff realized it was just a fox; one of the shots he fired had gunned down the canine."Damn it, he whispered as he went down on one knee, looking remorseful as he kept his gaze on the fox. He placed his gun down before performing the sign of the cross.Bricks was a very religious man and didn't believe in killing animals; it also didn't help that he was vegan, so the guilt he felt was immense.Suddenly he heard noises coming from the other side of the forest where he had come through, and he immediately picked up his gun, aiming for whatever was coming.

"Wow, Bricks, put the gun down!Johnny yelled while leading a few police officers towards Bricks, who by now realized he was in no danger."Sorry, I shot a fox!" Bricks added as soon as he realized they probably came due to the gunshots he let out earlier."Why, would you do that?Marcus asked, feeling annoyed by the unnecessary tension Brick's shot had subjected him to."I don't know, but I could swear there was something else in this woods."Bricks added, before standing up to join his colleagues.They all made their way out of the woods and back to the crime scene, leaving the dead fox behind, while a tense atmosphere and presence lingered within the forest